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Alabama Hammers open season Friday under new coach Scott Sharp

Updated on March 18, 2016 at 9:51 PMPosted on March 26, 2015 at 12:35 PM

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Alabama Hammers' Mico McSwain celebrates after a touchdown catch against Richmond in the Professional Indoor Football League championship game July 8, 2013 at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville. (Eric Schultz/eschultz@al.com)

The former Huntsville High coach and the Hammers open their Professional Indoor Football League season at defending champion Nashville. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m., at Municipal Auditorium.

Alabama (4-8 in 2014) went 0-3 against the Venom last season, falling 57-40, 59-29 and 59-45.

Scott Sharp at his introduction as the Alabama Hammers head coach Jan. 29, 2015. (Eric Schultz/eschultz@al.com)

"I feel like we've certainly improved these last two and a half weeks of camp," Sharp said. "We've got some guys who are capable of making big plays. We've got a lot of inexperienced guys as far as the indoor game, but I feel like we've got enough experienced guys around who are very good leaders for us. They've shared a lot of their experiences."

Sharp took the Hammers job after five seasons at Huntsville High. He spent one season playing for the Tennessee Valley Vipers in 2000, but this is his debut as an indoor coach.

"Absolutely," Sharp said when asked if he had any butterflies. "I've had a hard time sleeping for the last two weeks. It's kind of like starting all over again. It's football, but it's different. You think about all the other scenarios that can come up in this game."

The Hammers' roster when through an overall during the offseason. Only seven players return, highlighted by receiver Mico McSwain, who hauled in 79 catches for 1,116 yards and 24 touchdowns last season. The UNA product was the 2013 PIFL MVP while helping lead the Hammers to a league championship.

Garrett Sutphen (6-foot-3, 215 pounds) is the new starting quarterback. The former UNC-Pembroke signal caller played for the Birmingham-based Alabama Outlawz of the X-League last season and completed 50 percent of his passes for 831 yards, 18 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He spent the previous two seasons with the Cape Fear (N.C.) Heroes.

"He has definitely shown some great promise," Sharp said. "He has really come on strong and has taken control of the offense. We feel like we have a very good chance with him. Austin Trainor (West Georgia/Florida A&M) is our backup and I expect to see him involved in the game as well. We've got two guys that can truly lead us to victory."

"I feel like we're pretty strong in a lot of places," Sharp said. "I think we've got two edge rushers that have the ability to put pressure on quarterbacks. Our receivers are talented. So is our secondary. I feel pretty strong about everything going into this first game."

The game will be broadcast on WZZN-FM 97.7 The Zone in Huntsville, WAFN-FM 92.7 Fun Radio in Arab, and WWIC-AM 1050 in Scottsboro.

The Hammers play at Richmond on April 4, then host Nashville in their home opener at the Von Braun Center on April 11.